HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-03-19, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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Canada'
editorial
Save the monarch by
planting milkweed
The Ontario government's removal ofmilkweed
from its list of noxious weeds — meaning milkweed
can now be grown on public property — will give
some aid to the monarch butterfly, which counts on
the milkweed for its survival.
But it may not be enough.
The challenge for the beleaguered monarch, whose
numbers have dropped significantly in recent years,
has never been that milkweed was considered a nox-
ious weed in this province. The problem was milk-
weed has been all but obliterated from the farm fields
of Ontario and the American Midwest because of
chemical technology.
Indeed, the World Wildlife Fund earlier this year
announced it found only
1.7 acres of the butterflies in 11 monarch sanctuar-
ies in Mexico this past winter. That compares to 45
acres in 1996.
Corn and soybeans have been genetically modified
in the last 20 years to survive glyphosate, a weed -killer.
When farmers now use the chemical, every plant in
their fields is destroyed, with the exception of those
genetically modified to withstand the glyphosate.
Farmers have become more efficient, yields have
increased and the amount of chemical used on farm
fields has decreased because it's more precise.
Milkweed is important to monarchs because the
butterflies lay their eggs into the plant, which is the
only food monarch caterpillars can eat.
But the fact milkweed has now been removed from
Ontario's "most wanted" list doesn't change its status
on Ontario's farm fields. Milkweed will still be
destroyed by glyphosate.
Yet, there is an opportunity for its revival outside
agriculture. Municipalities are no longer obligated to
destroy milkweed from public property.
Indeed, communities may want to plant milkweed
gardens, and municipalities and schools may want to
encourage the growth of milkweed on their properties.
Still, the monarch faces an uphill battle.
Some American states are so thoroughly agricultural
that the milkweed has been almost wiped out.
In Iowa, for example, an estimated 98 per cent of
that state's acreage has become inhospitable to
milkweed.
In those places, it would make sense to provide
some organized refuge for the milkweed.
Perhaps Ontario can lead the way.
Never fear, the end is near
Well, are we there yet?
I find myself asking that age-
old question, much like a pre-
schooler riding in the back of
my parents' station wagon on an
overly long road trip.
The difference, however, is it's
not a destination I seek, this is
no drive to grandma's, but more
of an end.
An end to winter.
Like most people, I've had it
with the ice and snow and I
can't help but feel a reprieve is
well overdue.
Moving to Huron County in
November, I was lucky enough
to make it just in time for the
first substantial snowfall on
Remembrance Day and it just
seemed to go downhill from
there.
Or roll downhill, much like a
giant, crushing, snowball.
Closed roads, cancelled
events and empty schools; it all
seemed to never end.
Like many people, I found
myself caught in discussion and
debate, questioning whether
this really was the worst winter
we had seen in ages, or whether
it just felt like it.
Thankfully, we're not crazy.
According to The Weather
Network, we hadn't seen a win-
ter this cold in 20 years and it's
been colder than the winters of
1978 and 1979, which were
famous for the chill.
Compared to last year, which
registered as the eighth warmest
winter in 100 years, we couldn't
Column
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
help but feel the deep chill.
Even after these many months
of discontent, it's important be
thankful for the people who did
their best to make it a little more
manageable. Snowplow opera-
tors worked ridiculously long
hours trying to keep our roads
safe. Local tradespeople were
run off their feet, fixing our
pipes and heaters, while
employees at places like Sea -
forth Manor opened their doors
for those in need of some extra
warmth.
It surely was a trying, and
chilly time.
But, fear not friends.
As the sun rises Thursday
morning, so comes the first day
of spring.
That's right, spring.
With its promise of increased
daylight and warmer tempera-
tures, I honestly can't wait to
see what the upcoming season
holds.
And, despite what the forecast
on my iPhone may say, I'm
ready for April to put a smile on
my face, and a song in my
heart.
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